Marvel: Blood in the Water

The year was 2024. A motorcycle roared down an empty road through grassy plains, with not a single person in sight and no source of light to be found. Only the bike's headlights pierced the darkness, illuminating the path ahead and casting shadows that danced on the ground. The air was heavy with the scent of rain, and the biker felt the first drops splatter against the visor of his helmet.

He slowed down, pulling to the side, and lifted the visor to pull out his phone. "Ugh... the helmet won't let my Face ID scan, and these gloves are useless for scanning my fingerprint" he groaned, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Fortunately, he managed to unlock the phone using a pattern lock—a relic of a bygone era. As he did, the screen flickered to life, revealing his current location.

Navigating through the map, he saw the rain intensify, droplets cascading onto his phone screen. He selected a spot on the map. "It's a few minutes off the main road, but it's the nearest town. Traveling in this downpour would be foolish... I'd rather find shelter for the night and start my journey tomorrow."

He shoved the phone back into his pocket, the weight of uncertainty settling in his gut, and got back on the bike. He drove slowly over the uneven streets, caution overriding the urge to speed. Five minutes later, he spotted a diversion from the main road, but to his surprise, there was no sign indicating where he was headed or how far it was.

Trusting Google Maps and his instincts, he veered off the main road and headed toward the town marked on the screen. The road grew rockier, with patches of mud threatening to swallow the bike whole. Yet he pressed on, his determination unwavering. Soon, a light flickered in the distance, a beacon against the dreary backdrop of the storm.

"Looks like I've reached my destination," he sighed in relief, increasing his speed. Almost soaked through, he was grateful that the bag on his back had a rain cover, protecting his belongings from the relentless rain.

As he approached, he saw that the light was a bulb attached to a welcome signboard, but curiously, there was no town name displayed. That seemed odd, but he didn't have time to ponder it further. The night was closing in, and he was eager for shelter.

Soon enough, he saw houses lining both sides of the road, but they were all in ruins, abandoned to the elements. The flickering lamps along the way created an eerie ambiance, illuminating the shattered windows and crumbling facades. "If this is an abandoned town, why is there still electricity here?" he wondered, spotting a large mansion on his right. The structure appeared dilapidated but still stood tall, enough to provide temporary refuge from the storm.

The biker turned in and entered through the gates of the estate, stopping just under the stairs where it was dry. The mansion's door was closed, and the interior was shrouded in darkness, so he decided to stay outside for now. He parked the bike, removed his helmet and gloves, and settled on the stairs, catching his breath. In his late twenties, with short black hair and brown eyes, he had a tall and lean build—athletic but not overly muscular.

He took out a cigarette and a lighter from his bag, lighting it with a flick of his thumb. The familiar ritual calmed him slightly as he inhaled deeply. After a few puffs, he glanced at his phone again, but it displayed "No Service." With a resigned sigh, he tossed it back into the bag, the sensation of isolation creeping in once more.

Suddenly, he noticed a flickering light coming from inside the mansion. "What the heck?" he muttered, turning to see that the entire house was now illuminated, as if a party was happening inside. "How did all the lights turn on in this rundown mansion?" he thought, rising to investigate.

As he approached the door, he recalled that it had been closed when he arrived. Yet now, it was slightly ajar, as if inviting him in. His heart raced with curiosity and a hint of apprehension. He pushed the door open, and the atmosphere shifted dramatically.

Inside, there were not just a few people, but a throng. The once-silent space was now filled with laughter and music, a cacophony of sound that startled him. He took a moment to absorb the scene, feeling like an intruder in a world he didn't belong to. To his relief, the rest of the town remained eerily silent and destroyed, untouched by the revelry within.

He scanned the room, noticing that the guests were all dressed in attire reminiscent of the 1940s. Men in sharp suits and women in elegant dresses swirled around, glasses clinking in celebration. "Is this some kind of themed party?" he wondered, spotting several serving staff carrying trays of food and drinks.

"Excuse me?" he called out, stepping forward, but as he did, the music and chatter suddenly ceased. Every eye in the room turned toward him, and an unsettling silence enveloped the space. The lights began to dim, casting shadows across the faces of the guests.

"Wait, what's happening? Is this some kind of sick prank?" Panic surged through him as the crowd started rushing toward him, their expressions a mix of curiosity and something darker. Just as they took a few steps closer, a sudden wave of water surged from nowhere, pushing them all back. Confused, he looked behind him and realized he was falling backward into water.

He flailed his arms, desperately trying to grab onto something, but there was nothing to hold onto. The water enveloped him, and he found himself submerged as if he had plunged into the deep ocean. The icy grip of the water shocked him, and he struggled to swim, his instincts kicking in.

He fought to reach the surface, but the light above him grew dimmer, swallowed by the depths. His body felt heavier, weighed down by the water, and he was losing the fight against the rising panic. "This can't be happening!" he thought, his mind racing as he kicked harder, desperate for a breath.

As he sank deeper, flashes of memories flickered through his mind—his life before this moment, the mundane troubles that now felt trivial compared to the dread of drowning. He thought of his family, friends, and the road that had led him here, all of it washed away in the darkness.

"Jared... Jared... are you alright?"

The voice broke through the chaos, pulling him from the depths of despair. He turned his head, eyes widening as he recognized the figure emerging through the water. It was a woman, her features ethereal and her expression filled with concern. She reached for him, her hand extending through the murky depths.

"Take my hand!" she urged, her voice clear amid the swirling water. With a surge of hope, he grasped her hand, feeling warmth radiate from her touch, cutting through the cold that engulfed him.

Just as he thought he might slip away, a surge of energy coursed through him. The water around them began to shift, swirling with purpose as he felt a strange connection forming between him and the depths. It was as if the water itself was responding to his thoughts, bending to his will.

With newfound strength, he kicked upward, pulling the woman along with him. Together, they burst through the surface, gasping for air as they emerged from the water. The scene around them transformed, the mansion and its guests fading into the background, replaced by a tranquil sea under a starlit sky.

Jared looked around, bewildered by the sudden shift. The woman beside him smiled reassuringly, her eyes sparkling with an otherworldly light. "You're safe now," she said softly, her voice echoing against the gentle waves.

"Who are you?" he managed to ask, still trying to comprehend the surreal turn of events.

"I am a guide," she replied, her gaze steady. "You possess a power you have yet to understand. This world holds secrets, and your journey has only just begun."

As the moonlight danced on the water, Jared felt a sense of clarity wash over him. The fears that had haunted him began to fade, replaced by an overwhelming sense of purpose. He was no longer just a lost biker; he was Jared Parker.

"Let's see what you can do," the woman said, her smile inviting him to embrace the unknown.

And in that moment, as the tides shifted around them, he knew that he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

**

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